Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Springfield Illinois

Picking the right phlebotomy school near Springfield IL is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

[campusexplorer header_text=”Find Phlebotomy Schools Near You!” aos=”75346615″ concentration=”E7147EE5″ tracking=”PHL-CT”]

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Springfield IL phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Springfield IL hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Springfield IL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the key certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Springfield IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Springfield IL schools you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Springfield IL. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Springfield IL local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, check with the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Springfield IL phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Illinois schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Springfield IL medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Springfield IL health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Springfield IL, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready some ideas about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Springfield IL

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Springfield IL.

Learn About Springfield Illinois

 

 

More Interesting Illinois Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Oglesby IL 61348

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Evergreen Park IL 60805

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Waterman IL 60556

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Rock Falls IL 61071

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Stockton IL 61085

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Joy IL 61260

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Addieville IL 62214

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Oak Park IL 60301

Phlebotomy Training Schools near New Berlin IL 62670

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Rosiclare IL 62982